Bonter in top 2 for Marquette superintendent's position

April 12, 2004|By Michael Jones, Staff Writer

VANDERBILT - The competition for the job of superintendent at Marquette Area Public Schools has been narrowed down to two candidates, one of whom is Ellen Bonter, current Vanderbilt Area School (VAS) superintendent.

Bonter and Swartz Creek Community School Assistant Supt. Jon Hartwig are both under consideration for the top post in Marquette, which has a student enrollment of 3,570, substantially more than Vanderbilt's current enrollment of 199. Swartz Creek has a reported student count of 4,846.

According to Bonter, the disparity in the size of enrollment between the two districts may work to her disadvantage in landing a job offer. "I think they have a concern that Vanderbilt may be too small," Bonter said. "I think they would prefer someone with experience who has worked in a larger district."

Bonter said she expects to hear by early next week whether she will be offered the Marquette position. Bonter, who currently makes $77,005 a year, said she thought the current Marquette superintendent earns approximately $100,000 a year.

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Bonter, who is in her fifth year as VAS superintendent, said it was with some reluctance she applied for the position at the Upper Peninsula school district. Due to the budgetary uncertainty of her own district, Bonter said she felt it would be difficult to maintain both the superintendent and principal positions.

VAS principal Jeff Liedel earns $60,166.

"I'm not eager to leave here at all," Bonter said. "I would like to be a part of some of the coming things which are starting to happen here. But really, we're going to keep two administrators and lay off teachers? That's just ridiculous."

It is Bonter's hope next year's VAS student enrollment will increase and possible funding cuts from the state won't materialize, necessitating substantial cuts to the district's budget. "We're in pretty desperate straits here financially and I want to give the board the opportunity to make sure they have some financial decisions open to them."

According to Bonter, if the state were to cut declining enrollment funding to districts such as Vanderbilt, the school could see a budget shortfall of between $260,000 to $300,000 next year. The district's 2003-04 budget approaches $2 million.

Bonter said as a result of declining enrollment funding this year the district was paid for 40 additional students over its actual student count.

"I'm sorry to see that she may be leaving," said board member Rhonda Berdan. "She has gotten us through some hard times and we certainly wouldn't be where we are now without her leadership. This is a very sad time right now."

Messages left for members of Marquette Area Public Schools were not returned by press time.